Wednesday, November 19, 2014

HSF '14 Challenge 21: Re-do

I missed challenge #4 the first time around (I was visiting my sister in Washington) and so I took the opportunity to make a second chemise. 

  • Historical Sew Fortnightly 2014 thedreamstress.com

The Challenge: Re-do of underneath it all
Fabric: The same cotton batiste as the chemise I made for the UFO Challenge.
Pattern: Self drafted
Year: The Victorian era
Notions: Thread and ribbon
How historically accurate is it? Machine and hand sewn
Hours to complete: A day and a half
First worn: November 16th
Total cost: Free

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

HSF Challenge #20:Alternate Universes or The Red Queen circa 1840

I've been reading a lot of classic literature lately, and when this challenge rolled around, I was in the middle of Through the Looking Glass. I had a different outfit planned, but my fabric failed to arrive on time and so I turned to my reading material and came up with the red queen.

The bodice is made of red silk dupioni bought way back in the mists of time when the Jo-ann's near my house was going out of business. By the time I got there, they were practically giving it away, so I brought mountains of it and I'm thinking of maybe making something for my mother out of the rest.

This took longer than I expected it to, mostly because the sleeves decided to be difficult. The first pair refused to lie straight, and the second decided to stick out at odd angles. I finally decided on a simple double puff at the elbow and left it at that.


The bodice is trimmed with a red double lip cord, again from my stash.

  • Historical Sew Fortnightly 2014 thedreamstress.com

The Challenge: Alternate Universe
Fabric: Red silk dupioni
Pattern: Drafted
Year: 1840
Notions: Thread and double lip cord
How historically accurate is it? Machine Sewn
Hours to complete: A week
First worn: Not yet
Total cost: Free